Author's Preface:
This story goes with a much larger universe, populated by many characters created by lots of different people. Because of that, it may not be very satisfying on it's own (or make a lot of sense since a lot of this back story exists solely to explain things that Nightcrawler, as Father Wagner, says and does almost 20 years later.)
To get the full picture I would suggest visiting and reading the following"instances" (the game's word for character interactions played outside the arc of the larger game plot) :
6/29 Instance: Fight fight!
7/05 - Deliberations, Negotiations, and Revelations.
7/10 Instance: Saint Wagner
7/17 Instance: Secret Mustard
7/23 Instance: Why Wagner is afraid of books
7/24 Instance: Twaching
christmas thread: Wagner
8/14 Instance: The Exorcist
8/19 Instance: Better than Monster Movies
8/24 Instance: Even Fruitcakes Have Layers
That should help get you started on who Father Wagner is and why this back story exists in the first place.
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Guy's hotel was closer than Kurt expected. In fact, he was actually early. Kurt looked around. This hotel was a little nicer than his, not that his wasn't very nice; it was the kind of class establishment that Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson booked into after all. Still, Guy's was the kind of hotel that billionaire circus owners checked into and it showed. The restaurant and the bar were attached so Kurt wandered in and ordered a drink, checking his watch to make sure he wasn't going to be late.
It was a pleasant bar, dimly lit with high backed booths and several tall tables. Kurt was standing, watching the entrance of the restaurant so intently that he didn't expect it when Guy came striding up to him from a different direction. Guy was dressed in his usual black suit and shirt with his hair shorn almost to nothing. He was exactly as Kurt remembered him. Everything about him was efficient from the way he ran the circus to the way he walked. The man never changed.
"I've only got half an hour and my assistant might come and interrupt us," Guy said. Then he looked around. "I thought we were meeting in the restaurant."
Kurt started to answer, but before he could say anything Guy said, "This is fine, we can order from the menu in here too, is this alright? Good." Guy slid into a booth and Kurt wordlessly followed him.
Guy never seemed to waste a moment so within seconds of sitting down they were looking at menus and ordering. Kurt wasn't even sure what he was getting since he'd simply said "I'll have the same" after Guy gave the waiter his complex and exact order, which Kurt hadn't really been paying attention to. It didn't matter; he really hadn't come here to eat anyway.
"Michelle says you want to come back," Guy said.
The waiter set down plates. They were eating spinach leaf salads and some kind of tomato bisque; that wasn't so bad. Kurt picked at his while Guy ate quickly, like he hadn't eaten in a week.
"Well, yes." Kurt said. He hadn't expected Guy to know what he wanted to meet about; it did make things easier though.
"You don't like the movie business?"
Kurt shook his head. "Not really."
"I saw it. You did all your stunts right? It was pretty good circus I thought." Guy finished his salad and pushed the plate aside to start on the soup.
"Yeah, the filming was okay…" Kurt began. He finished his drink. He wondered how much he should tell Guy. Should he tell him about how much he hated people following him around or that he didn't like seeing his name in print. He didn't even know how to explain it anymore. He just hated… everything.
"I miss performing," Kurt began, "making the film, I only got to perform for such a short time and the rest of it has been publicity. I think I'd rather perform more and do less publicity. I miss being part of a company, working with a creative team instead of following a script. I want to be anonymous again." Kurt was shocked by his own words. That had been almost… coherent. He looked up at Guy, waiting for a response.
Unfortunately Guy said, "One second Kurt," and motioned for his assistant who had been standing a few steps away to come forward. Guy leaned out of the booth and they had a brief mumbled conversation that Kurt couldn't hear. Guy turned his attention back to Kurt. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
Kurt frowned. What had he said? He'd put it so well just a minute ago. "I just think I'd be better off returning to performing where I had… anonymity."
Guy smiled. "You're never really going to have true anonymity Kurt. People are always going to notice you're different."
"I know but…" Kurt wished he hadn't brought it up. That wasn't the point. "It's worse now."
"So what do you want me to do?"
Kurt took a deep breath. This was the important part. "I… I'm contracted to do two films. I've only done one. I don't want to do the second, but I can't breach my contract. I don't have the money. I thought maybe…"
"You want me to buy out your contract? Free you from making the second film?" Guy asked.
"Yes," Kurt said, relieved he didn't have to explain anymore.
"Then what?"
"I'd come work for you. I'd … pay you back, in wages, for as long as it takes. I…" Kurt didn't want to sound too desperate, but he needed this to happen. He would have done anything.
Guy looked at him critically for a moment. Finally he sighed. "Kurt, you were and will probably always be the best aerialist I have ever worked with. I would love to have you on the show again."
Kurt's hopes rose. He was going to say yes.
"But, we just finished a new production and we don't have one in the works for another three years," Guy continued, "I'd have to put you on one of the touring shows and to be honest Kurt, I'm looking at you and I don't think you could do it."
Kurt shook his head. This couldn't be happening. "No, I'll work hard. I can start training now if you want. I'll do whatever you want."
Guy smiled and sadly shook his head. "Then listen to me, Kurt. Go back to Los Angeles. Make your second movie and don't sign any more contracts. There are a lot of good aerialist coaches in that area, start working with one of them. Quit drinking. Then you can come back. Okay?"
"No. Please, I need to do this now. They're making me look like a freak. I can't stand it." Kurt said. It didn't matter if he sounded desperate anymore.
Guy looked at his watch and stood up. "I'm sorry, my time is up," he said. Guy leaned down and put his hand on Kurt's shoulder. "The only one making you look like a freak is you. Right now, Cirque can't afford your press. I'm very sorry, Kurt."
Kurt stood up to watch Guy leave, and then he slumped back down in the booth. So that was it. He'd asked and now he had his answer. It was over. He would have to go back to L.A. now, live in his house, make another movie… It would never end.
Authors Note: Exactly what is "The Nightscrawlearth storyline". Nightscrawlearth is a Role Playing game played on Nightscrawlers, a Nightcrawler fan forum. It takes place in a fictional universe in which mutants are not yet known or understood. Kurt Wagner is one of the few people have ever seen.
Most of the game takes place in the current time frame (approximately 2007) at a university run by Charles Xavier where Kurt is a professor and priest. These chapters are his early history along with that of the university.
The game is always eager to talk to potential new players and I hope you enjoy reading our work. URLs are available in my BIO page.s
